Why do so many bandsters set their goal weights so high? I mean, many of the ones that I've seen aren't anywhere near a healthy weight. Yes, it might be healthier than their starting weight, but it still isn't a normal weight. Is it a fear of failure? Is it because the doctors set their patients' goal weights high in order to fudge their weight-loss statistics? Why not aim for a healthy weight? Why aim for a weight that is still considered to be "obese," in many cases?

I can understand someone deciding that the weight they are currently at is one that they feel good at, but I just don't understand making the logic of "well, I just wouldn't look right if I weighed less than X pounds."

Sigh. Boy, are you being this obtuse on purpose?

Did I not just make the point to Alexandra that her idea and mine of winning may be different? Was I not making the point that not trying is what I had little respect for, not the ultimate goal?.

I have actually been a slow loser precisely because I didnt want to kill myself on a very low calorie diet. Its taken me nearly 2 years to lose 88lb. I do not believe fast weight loss is particularly healthy either. I dont do diet foods and I like to enjoy what I eat. So I was prepared to accept a slower loss.

I run becuase I love it, I used it as an analogy but I do not think everyone has to do it.

As to running and walking being different because of how your foot strikes the pavement. I am not even going to dignify that with a response. Its too ridiculous.

All I see here is defensiveness and rationalising with entirely questionable misinformation.

Just own your weight and your goal. Revel in your success in achieving YOUR goals. But accept it and own it in all its facets, do not try to justify it to me as not having a down side. Its when you do that that I immediately see someone NOT happy with their decision, NOT comfortable with it. Tell me to bugger off, you're happy and you dont give a fig what I think. Dont tell me that you're the one in a million who can have a BMI of 35 but somehow not be obese. That's crapola.

I have been duly ticked off, I know my original opinion was arrogant and that the way I have done things is not for everyone. In my mind we werent even arguing that, but you obviously see it differently.

... When you foot strikes the pavement in a walking stride it pumps your blood to your heart and improves endurance strenthens your heart. When you run your foot doesn't get the same pumping action to your heart. ...

I'm not the least bit familiar with this. Do you have any studies that could explain this in specific detail?

HI,I SET MY GOAL AT 60KGS AS THATS THE WEIGHT I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND MYSELF TO BE HAPPY AT,AS I WAS OVER 100KG,I SET LITTLE GOALS IN 10KG LOTS UNTIL I GET TO THE WEIGHT I WANT TO BE[EVERY 10KGS I LIKE TO REWARD MYSELF WITH A NEW CD OR A NEW TOP,SOMTHING SPECIAL,IT'S A GREAT ACHIEVMEANT TO LOSE WEIGHT,EVERYONE KEEP UP YOUR WONDERFULL EFFORTS.

Alexandra, if people just dont want to push boundaries and aim high for themselves in all areas of their lives then I just have to accept that. I cannot pretend to understand that and I'm sorry but I cannot pretend to have a lot of admiration for it either, I just cannot. Whether its to do with weight or not, to me it is settling for mediocrity. I'd much rather try and fail than not try.

I can accept that you dont agree with me (and I know that perception isnt reality, so what I think aint necessarily so), but I'm really confused - Are you seriously saying to me that you didnt even care about winning that battle?. Your idea and mine of winning may be different, but you took action, you fought and you came to a position that you were happy with. So what you're saying makes no sense at all to me

But "not trying" is NOT the same thing as going for a goal that someone else sets for you! We are all here because we ARE trying, in our own ways, to become healthier by losing weight. We definitely all have that in common, and we all experience joy in the benchmarks and victories that mean something to us. I'm just saying the process, and the benchmarks and victories, are very different from person to person.

Whether we see it as a battle to be won or a journey to be taken, or wherever we set the "finish" line, we each put our own stamp on this project. Losing weight for me was a dream, a wish, and when it started to become reality I was thrilled. I embraced it and tried to make my new habits permanent (which did NOT work--HOLY COW I need a fill!). But I never saw it as a battle I had to fight--unless you count with my insurance company.

If I saw it as a "battle" I know me--I would lose, give up, not want to do it anymore. It's just not a helpful frame of reference for me; that's why I never participate in challenges here. But not thinking of it that way didn't keep me from losing 100 lbs and living life as a thinner person, which is what I set out to do. Though I'm desperately trying not to gain right now, I know that if I started battling with myself about it that scale would be moving UP.

Has anyone had scarring. I am still in the pre approval stage. I believe I will be banded by December. I would love to be able to wear a two piece bathing suit next summer. But will I have a scar on my belly?!?!?:faint::omg:

Has anyone had scarring. I am still in the pre approval stage. I believe I will be banded by December. I would love to be able to wear a two piece bathing suit next summer. But will I have a scar on my belly?!?!?:faint::omg:

Not nearly as much as extra fat and stretch marks.

By the way walking is healthier for your heart than running. When you foot strikes the pavement in a walking stride it pumps your blood to your heart and improves endurance strenthens your heart. When you run your foot doesn't get the same pumping action to your heart.

HUH?? i've know several fitness professionals and runners who will disagree with you..

HUH?? i've know several fitness professionals and runners who will disagree with you..

I am quite sure we'll be getting study results from this one quickly.

<p>This to me has turned into, Because I got to my desired weight goal and I excercise more than you, I'm better than you.. Bottom line what some of you are doing is passing judgement and imposing your idea of success on everyone else. We all started at the same place. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER JUST BECAUSE THEY GOT TO THEIR MAGIC NUMBER. If I choose to not be a size 0 or 2 because that is what I'm supposed to weigh for my height, then f#*k that. I am what I want to be whether it fits your image or idea of success.

This to me has turned into, Because I got to my desired weight goal and I excercise more than you, I'm better than you.. Bottom line what some of you are doing is passing judgement and imposing your idea of success on everyone else. We all started at the same place. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER JUST BECAUSE THEY GOT TO THEIR MAGIC NUMBER. If I choose to not be a size 0 or 2 because that is what I'm supposed to weigh for my height, then f#*k that. I am what I want to be whether it fits your image or idea of success.

And just because you are thin, that does not make you immune to

Point out to me where I have said I am better than you. Please.

I am quite sure we'll be getting study results from this one quickly.

Well I am just full of esoteric information. I read about it years ago when I was on a fitness kick. Because your foot has heal to toe contact with the ground, the calves are more efficient at pumping the blood to your heart. Sounds very plausable to me. With running you come down on the ball of your foot and spend more time in the air. The only advantage running offers is that it takes less time to get in a workout. Walking burns more fat per mile and there is much less chance of injury.

Well I am just full of esoteric information. I read about it years ago when I was on a fitness kick. Because your foot has heal to toe contact with the ground, the calves are more efficient at pumping the blood to your heart. Sounds very plausable to me. With running you come down on the ball of your foot and spend more time in the air. The only advantage running offers is that it takes less time to get in a workout. Walking burns more fat per mile and there is much less chance of injury.

I am pretty sure if you consult a "calorie per hour per activity" calculator, it would show that running burns more calories per hour than walking.

"I am pretty sure if you consult a "calorie per hour per activity" calculator, it would show that running burns more calories per hour than walking."

Chickie, I didn't say per hour, I said per mile.

"I am pretty sure if you consult a "calorie per hour per activity" calculator, it would show that running burns more calories per hour than walking."

Chickie, I didn't say per hour, I said per mile.

Worked out over the mile, running would burn more calories.

Well I am just full of esoteric information. I read about it years ago when I was on a fitness kick. Because your foot has heal to toe contact with the ground, the calves are more efficient at pumping the blood to your heart. Sounds very plausable to me. With running you come down on the ball of your foot and spend more time in the air. The only advantage running offers is that it takes less time to get in a workout. Walking burns more fat per mile and there is much less chance of injury.

Great. Show me the study!

I hate running, I don't defend running, I think it sucks. I've made that more than clear previously. I just want to see the science behind your own claims.